PROTECTED PLACES

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 95, 18 October 1940, Page 9

PROTECTED PLACES

REGULATIONS ISSUED

■ Regulations designed to facilitate the protection of property were issued in the Gazette last night. They are known as the Protected Places Emergency Regulations, and they provide that any superintendent or inspector of police may, if it appears to him to be necessary or expedient for securing the public safety, the defence of New Zealand, the efficient prosecution of the war, or for maintaining supplies and services essential to the life of the community, by written notice require the occupier of any place to provide at all times or at such times as may be specified a watchman or a number of watchmen. The occupier may also be called upon to provide such lighting, fencing, and other aids to security as may be requested.

It is further provided that any occupier or watchman at a protected place may firstly direct any person not to enter or to remain on a protected place or loiter in the vicinity of the entrance. He may also search any person approaching, entering, remaining in, or leaving a protected place, and may detain any such person for the purpose of search. Any person who commits or is reasonably suspected of having committed or being about to commit an offence against the regulations may be detained till the arrival of the police. No action, claim, or demand can be made against any occupier or watchman of a protected place in respect of anything done by them under the authority of the regulations.

Every person commits an offence who endangers the safety of any protected place or its contents, or who resists, obstructs, or deceives anyone exercising any power or function under the regulations, or who without lawful excuse fails to comply with the regulations. Offenders shall be liable in the case of individuals to imprisonment not exceeding three months or a fine not exceeding £50, and in the case of a body corporate to a fine not exceeding £200.